New plugin combines resonator‑based acoustic emulation with subtractive synthesis, launching at an introductory price of $99.
reFX has released Rippler, a new plugin that combines physical modelling with subtractive synthesis across two independent layers. The plugin is available now for macOS 10.13 and later, supporting both Apple Silicon and Intel processors, and for Windows 10 and above, in VST, Audio Units and AAX formats.
Rippler is designed to generate acoustic and semi‑acoustic timbres by modelling the physical behaviour of instruments such as strings, tubes, membranes and bells, then shaping the resulting sound with conventional filtering and modulation tools. The dual‑layer structure allows two such signal chains to be blended or layered within a single patch, alongside a set of effects, performance controls and preset content.
Each layer begins with an exciter stage, which offers a choice of built‑in sounds, the option to import user samples, and a sidechain input. The exciter signal, together with a dedicated noise generator, feeds into two resonators – the core of Rippler’s physical modelling engine.
The resonators draw on 12 models intended to represent different acoustic sound sources, including string, beam, bell, membrane, plate, drumhead, djembe, vibraphone and marimba types, along with open and closed tube models. A manual mode adds an additive synthesis generator. The two resonators can be run in parallel or in series, with the option to feed one into the other. Two oscillators can be introduced alongside the resonators to blend synthesised and modelled elements within the same layer, and two filters – offering 27 types spanning standard low‑pass, high‑pass, band‑pass and notch configurations, vintage and ladder‑style filters, and a formant‑shifting vowel filter – shape the combined output.
Modulation is handled by four LFOs and four envelope types (ADSR, AHD, DADSR and DAHDSR), supplemented by random generators, velocity, key and aftertouch sources, four assignable macros, and MPE compatibility. Each layer carries its own effects chain, selectable from 13 processor types, and a master chain processes the combined output of both layers. An onboard arpeggiator and sequencer includes modifier lanes that can add or subtract pitch and velocity from a played pattern.
Find out more on the reFX website. After September 13, the price goes up to $129.
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